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Delightful entertainers perform before the main show. Enjoy a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in the lounge throughout the show.
• Bizhiki: Unbound
• Carsie Blanton with Matt the Electrician
• Hawktail & Väsen
• Sam Grisman Project
• Elephant Revival
• Backyard Tire Fire
• Art Walk Stoughton
• e Iowans
• Ruth Moody Band
• Willie Watson
• Matthew Sweet Acoustic Trio
• Tommy Castro and the Painkillers
• Davina & the Vagabonds
• Fareed Haque Group
• Jake Xerxes Fussel
• Yasmin Williams
• Harp Twins Rockin’ Halloween Concert!
• e Travelin’ McCourys
• Rhonda Vincent
• Sue Foley and e Pistolas
• Elizabeth Moen
• Amythyst Kiah
• Suzy Bogguss
• Sierra Hull
• SistaStrings
• Los Lobos
• An Acoustic Christmas with Over the Rhine
• Susan Werner
• Je rey Foucault with Erik Koskinen
• e New Standards Holiday Show
• Mr. Sun Plays Ellington’s Nutcracker
• JD McPherson SOCKS A Rock N’ Roll
Christmas Tour
• Squirrel Nut Zippers
• Sister Sadie
• Michael Perry
• On A Winter’s Night
• Eilen Jewell
• Peter Mulvey
• Charlie Parr
• e Steel Wheels
• Steely Dane
• Sonny Landreth with Cindy Cashdollar
• Steep Canyon Rangers
• e Arcadian Wild
• Opera For the Young Mozart’s Magic Flute
• Della Mae
• Le over Salmon
• Keller Williams
• e Jimmys
• Mad ddle & HWY 51
• Chris Smither
• Marty Stuart
• Asleep at the Wheel
• Syttende Mai ...and Many More!
381 E. M AIN S TREET S TOUGHTON , WI 608.877.4400 WWW . STOUGHTONOPERAHOUSE . COM
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes
Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden
Senior Editor Lindsey Lukas
Managing Editor Jim Taylor
Assistant Editor Steven Bonifazi
Graphics Director Samantha Behling
Graphic Designer Ashley Smith
Contributing Writers Janine Pumilia
General Sales Manager Brent Hughes
Sales Manager Brad Hughes
Advertising
Representatives
Jeremy Jones, Nita Lasky
Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes
Director of Corporate Happiness Hana Hughes
Distribution Kelly and Larry Fairbairn
Since it’s an election year, and since we recently celebrated Independence Day, I’ve found myself musing on the status of America. It’s interesting to me how widely opinions can vary. I find myself feeling defensive against almost everyone.
I hate it here, people say, even though America has some of the broadest free speech laws in the world. I could start a newspaper tomorrow and print whatever I wanted to write. (It would not be successful, but I could still try!)
I hate it here, people say, even though there’s impressive mountains, lakes, beaches, rivers and open plains. From large cities to rural areas, there’s beauty to be found all around.
I hate it here, people say, and I think about the millions of people throughout history who have died trying to enter this country.
But as we know, that isn’t the full picture, either.
Our history has some awkward moments, to say the least. Our founding fathers literally thought it was okay to own people as property.
Maternal mortality rates are terrible when compared to other developed nations. Also, I’ve choked from reading the numbers on my hospital bills after giving birth to my children. Don’t even get me started on my son’s NICU bills.
There are plenty of issues that keep me up at night, especially as a mother. Gun violence, daycare costs, climate change... Take your pick. There’s more.
Imperfect is an understatement. And yet: we love imperfect people deeply. Our children, our friends, and hopefully ourselves, too. Oftentimes, we’re more critical about ourselves than anyone else. But we also, fundamentally, tend to think of ourselves as good. That we’re flawed, but we deserve to be loved.
So no, I don’t hate it here. Our country is complex, for sure. But here, I can vote. I can write this column. I can do so, so much.
That’s why I’ll cling to my hope and positivity, roll up my sleeves, and get to work. ❚
Lindsey Lukas Senior Editor
The Bible is full of information about qualities God values in all people and requires from leaders. Among them are humility, honesty, self-control, fairness, empathy, a willingness to learn and a sincere desire for peace. Qualities that disqualify a good leader include the love of money, a quarrelsome nature and arrogance.
I Timothy 3:2-7 (NIV)
Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)
He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
Proverbs 16 (NIV)
Here we learn that God detests arrogance and values those who ask Him for direction: All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord, whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. (16:2-3)
The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided. (16:5-6)
When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them. Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice. (16:7-8)
How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver! … Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord. (16:16-20)
A perverse person stirs up conflict, a gossip separates close friends. A violent person entices their neighbor and leads them down a path that is not good. Whoever winks with their eye is plotting perversity; whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.
Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness. Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. (16:28-32) ❚ -Janine Pumilia
By Steven Bonifazi, assistant editor
Rockford’s Festa Italiana returns this year from Aug. 2-4 at Boylan High School Grounds, 4000 St. Francis Dr. For the 45th time, the event promises an exciting weekend filled with homemade Italian cuisine, cultural displays and fun activities for the whole family.
Coined as “one big family reunion,” the festival is teeming with traditions.
“Whitey Marinelli and Bob Corirossi started Festa Italiana to bring the Italian community together,” says Joy Parlapiano, festival organizer. She’s spent more than two decades to help Festa come alive every summer.
“It’s always the first week of August and people look forward to it. You see people you know and people you haven’t seen for years come to Festa for the bocce, for the food – it’s a tradition.”
This year’s Festa Italiana preserves its traditions and introduces several new and exciting elements. Grilled chicken sandwiches, offered with pesto or other sauce, and pizza complement the array of home-
made Italian dishes festivalgoers have come to expect.
Families can look forward to a several familiar activities, including traditional Italian bocce tournaments and carnival rides for all ages.
The culture tent, which celebrates the theme of Rome this year, offers a unique glimpse into Italian heritage with genealogy tests, exhibits and a special blessing
from the pope. The tent will be dedicated to “everything Rome,” says Parlapiano.
Entertainment at Festa Italiana is always a highlight. This year’s lineup includes performances from AudioDrive on Friday, the Blooze Brothers and Dead Man’s Hand on Saturday, and Stevie Swing & The Summer Wind, an Italian quartet, on Sunday.
“The Amici Italiani Dance Troupes also perform on Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” says Parlapiano. “We also
have carnival rides and games, so there’s something for everybody.”
Festa Italiana works to support the community through education each year as a major fundraiser for the Greater Rockford Italian American Association (GRIAA) scholarship fund. The fund provides financial support to Italian American students in kindergarten through 12th grade attending parochial schools.
“We give out quite a bit of money for that,” says Parlapiano. “All the proceeds from Festa go towards those scholarships.”
Admission to the festival is $8 per ticket, with free entry for children under 7 and military personnel, including veterans. For families, a pack is available for $90 with four admissions, two ride wristbands and $20 worth of food tickets. Special wristbands for rides are also available for $30 on Saturday from 1 to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 7 p.m.
Parlapiano attributes Festa Italiana’s continued success to the dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly to bring it to life each year. For her, it’s something to be proud of.
“Everyone is a volunteer – from the executive board to all the tents – and they’re the same people that have been running it for years,” says Parlapiano. “Festa is one thing I have in my life that I’m very proud of, and I work very hard at it.”
For a complete schedule of events and more information, visit festaitalianarockford.com. ❚
By Chris Linden, executive editor
Aprofessional kitchen and bathroom designer can help your home look stunning.
Designer Ginger Lamm, with Macktown Construction Group, 9957 N. Alpine Road, in Machesney Park, Ill. likes to help clients by pulling “palettes” of samples, each showing an arrangement of matching floor samples, cabinets, counters and tiles. The palettes offer a birdseye view of the new kitchen or bathroom. This conversation might cover textures, color schemes and what makes a good match.
“It’s a lot of asking questions, and then I have to stop talking and let the client do most of the talking,” says Lamm. “It’s almost like you’re a psychologist or therapist. You have to draw out what they’re actually saying and read their body language when you set something
out. They may not be able to verbalize it, but you can see it in their body language. Oh, you’re not feeling that, are you? And then we do the process of elimination.”
Once everyone has agreed upon the materials, it’s time to place the order. Lamm says it’s wise to order all materials upfront, because doing so helps to avoid problems down the road.
The designer-contractor relationship is only one approach to home remodeling. Some companies bring designers and contractors together under one roof, in what’s called a design-build firm.
Macktown Construction Group operates this way, so it can offer clients a smooth process and clear expectations, upfront, when it comes to budgeting and planning.
In fact, Lamm has such a tight control on information that she offers a real-
time picture of what the job will cost, as they’re selecting materials. When clients sign their final contract for construction, they’re agreeing to the exact cost of the project, not a ballpark estimation as some contractors provide.
“We can give you a line-item cost for every single piece of material, every bit of labor we do, including job setup and cleanup, even a professional cleaning service at the end,” Lamm says. “It’s all there and the client can see it. They can even see our overhead and our markup.” ❚
By Steven Bonifazi, assistant editor
Loves Park’s Rhythm of the Heart Music Festival returns for its second year on July 27 at City Hall’s festival grounds for a day filled with free live music, entertainment and community spirit.
“Rhythm of the Heart is a community event where everyone can come together and have fun,” says Alyssa Thompson, marketing and communication specialist. “We have different elements of entertainment from a car show to local and regional bands, food trucks and vendors.”
The festival evolved from Loves Park’s 75th birthday bash in 2021. Following the success of that event, the city decided to establish an annual festival.
“The 75-year bash was super successful,” says Thompson. “We had such a great turnout and people loved the live music, so we said, ‘let’s turn this into an annual thing and do it every year.’”
This year’s festival boasts a diverse lineup of performances that begin at 1 p.m. with local favorite Nauti Nauti, followed by Made in America, a Tribute to Toby Keith. LynSkynyrd, back by popular demand, takes the stage at 5:30 p.m., and the evening concludes with Gabriel Sanchez presents The Prince Experience at 8 p.m.
For those not into music, there’s plenty more to enjoy.
“We have a car show from 1 to 5 p.m., bounce houses, a balloon artist and a free K-9 demo by the Loves Park Police Department,” says Thompson. “We also have new entertainment this year, including a performance by local dance team the Phenomenal Dance Company, and a magic show during one of the band breaks.”
The day wraps up with a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m., launched from a hill overlooking the festival grounds.
The grounds feature designated areas for food trucks, vendor tents and kids’ activities and help promote Loves Park. However, it’s the local businesses and sponsors that play a crucial role in making Rhythm of the Heart possible.
“Local businesses sponsor the event, which allows us to offer free admission,” says Thompson. “This year, we have about 30 local businesses participating as vendors. Last year we had 15.”
For a complete schedule of events, visit rhythmoftheheartfest.com. ❚
Mark Normand: ‘Ya Don’t Say’
July 26, 7 p.m. Dubbed by Jerry Seinfeld as “the best young up-and-coming comic,” this comedian became one of the most talked-about entertainers with his one-hour Netflix special “Soup to Nuts.” Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-5222, coronadopac.org.
Friday Night Flix: ‘Toy Story’
July 26, 6 p.m. park opens; movie at dusk. Bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy a classic film in the park. Food trucks on site. Davis Park, 320 S. Wyman St., Rockford, (815) 968-5222, thebmocenter.com.
Frank Lloyd Wright Lecture Series
July 27, 2:30 p.m. John Walters, architect and preservation programs manager for the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy, speaks about the Usonian House, one of Wright’s greatest contributions to 20th century architecture. Spring Creek United Church of Christ, 4500 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, (815) 877-2952, laurenthouse.com.
Domingos en el Parque
July 28, 2-8 p.m. Celebrate the culture of Rockford’s Latino community. Vendors include Latino
food, services, community resources, handmade jewelry, authentic custom gear, more. Levings Park, 1420 Pierpont Ave., Rockford, (815) 9878800, rockfordparkdistrict.org.
Woodsong: Icons of Country
July 28, 6 p.m. A tribute show featuring the songs of Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert. Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-8146, klehm.org.
Starlight: ‘Newsies’
July 31-Aug. 4, Thur.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 p.m. In a David-and-Goliath battle, scrappy newsboys in New York City wage war against newspaper titans. Starlight Theatre, Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford, (815) 9212160, rockvalleycollege.edu.
Ogle County Fair
July 31-Aug. 4, events daily. Antique tractor parade and pull, demolition derby, rodeo, 4-H exhibits and drill team, carnival, rides, entertainment and more. Ogle County Fairgrounds, 1440 N. Limekiln Road, Oregon, Ill., (815) 732-6962, oglecountyfair.com.
The Roaring Twenties
Aug. 3, 1-7 p.m. Visit the hidden speakeasies scat-
tered throughout the village as you learn about the Prohibition Era in Rockford. Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, (815) 397-9112, midwayvillage.com.
Boone County Fair
Aug. 6-11, see website for times. American Idol Season 10 winner Scotty McCreery is this year’s headliner, performing Sat 7 p.m., with special guest Greylan James. Other attractions include a carnival, ranch sorting competition, grandstand shows, Next Level Bull Riding, demolition derby, horseshoes, Queen Pageant, truck and tractor pulls, Grange breakfasts and dinners. Boone County Fairgrounds, 8847 Ill. Rt. 76, Belvidere, boonecountyfair.com. ❚
